Laboratory Officer at Save the Children
Role
The role
We are currently looking for Laboratory Officer based in Vientiane Capital.
Role Purpose
Dengue remains a substantial public health issue in Lao PDR due to several reasons, including challenges in mosquito control, rapid urbanization leading to increased mosquito breeding sites, effects of climate change resulting in increased mosquito breeding, limited access to healthcare in remote areas, and potential issues with surveillance and reporting. After a historical peak of dengue cases in 2019, the country experienced another large outbreak in 2022 and 2023. Existing methods of disease control, such as spraying of insecticides in outbreak area or clean-up campaigns have not eliminated dengue as a constant public health issue in Laos.
Save the Children International (SCI) together with World Mosquito Program (WMP) and the Department of Communicable Disease Control of the Ministry of Health (DCDC, MOH) implemented the Driving down Dengue in Laos (DDDiL) project, with an overall goal of contributing to the reduction of dengue transmission in Laos. SCI will work with the Ministry of Health, provincial health departments and district health offices in the target locations in Vientiane Capital, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet and Champasack to support releases of Wolbachia-carrying Ae. aegypti.
The purpose of this position is to perform duties in mosquito rearing space and in the community as required including mosquito rearing, release, field collection and identification, engaging the community, data collection, quality assurance and reporting and additional duties as required.
The Laboratory Officer reports to the Laboratory Coordinator and is responsible for reporting on a weekly basis the status lab activities including mosquito rearing, QA, mosquito release activities, etc.
More information about Save the children International in Laos and the WMP Wolbachia method can be obtained from https://laos.savethechildren.net and www.worldmosquitoprogram.org
In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
- Ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.
- Conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.
Key responsibilities:
- Assist in the overall mosquito rearing process, including routine laboratory activities and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Ensure proper storage, monitoring, and handling of mosquito eggs prior to release.
- Prepare Mosquito Release Containers (MRCs), pack crates for distribution to village volunteers, and maintain batch control with QA checks.
- Collect, record, compile, and analyze laboratory trial data; prepare weekly summaries, reports, and presentations using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Support the Laboratory Coordinator with logistics, inventory management, and preparation of advance requests and returns.
- Prepare and summarize monthly timesheets and invoices for consultancy laboratory assistant staff to ensure accurate salary processing.
- Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality assurance protocols, and reporting systems for all laboratory processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
- Be available to work outside regular hours, including evenings, weekends, public holidays, and peak periods when leave may be restricted.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent professional qualifications in relevant fields (science, entomology, veterinarian or health sciences).
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Demonstrated experience in laboratory and/or field entomology, including mosquito rearing, collection, and identification.
- Strong team player with the ability to work independently under routine supervision.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle high-volume tasks accurately and meet deadlines.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, able to work within large, multidisciplinary teams.
- Proficiency in using computers (including Google Drive suite), smartphones, and stereo microscopes, with the ability to quickly learn new software platforms.
- Strong ability to prioritize tasks and perform effectively under pressure.
- High attention to detail in reporting, record-keeping, and data analysis.
Contract length: Fixed term (1 year with the possibility of extension)
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
- All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.
Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
